New Zealand is home to many talented volleyball players who have achieved great success both domestically and internationally. From Olympians to professional volleyball stars, the best volleyball players in New Zealand have made their mark on the sport.
From the experienced veterans to the up-and-coming stars, these players have demonstrated their skill, determination, and commitment to the sport.
Whether it’s representing their country or playing in the professional leagues, these athletes have proven to be some of the best volleyball players in the world. So without further ado, let’s take a look at some of the best volleyball players in New Zealand.
1. Alice Zeimann
Alice Zeimann is an up-and-coming beach volleyball player from New Zealand. She has been playing beach volleyball for several years and is now making a name for herself in the sport.
She has competed in tournaments around the world and is making a name for herself as one of the top beach volleyball players in New Zealand.
She has participated in the World Beach Volleyball Tour and has been featured in the New Zealand Herald as one of the top beach volleyball players in the country.
She is a member of the New Zealand Beach Volleyball Federation and has recently been appointed the New Zealand Beach Volleyball Team’s captain. Alice’s skill and dedication to the sport is evident, and she is a great role model for aspiring beach volleyball players.
She is a great example of what one can achieve in beach volleyball when you put in the hard work and dedication it takes to succeed.
2. Shaunna Polley
Shaunna Marie Polley is a professional beach volleyball player from New Zealand. She made history when she and her then-partner Kelsie Wills became the first female beach volleyball team to represent New Zealand in the 2018 Olympic Games.
The pair had great success prior to the Games, winning a bronze medal at the 2017 Ulsan Open in South Korea on the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour. This was an impressive accomplishment, and it helped to showcase the immense talent and dedication of both Polley and Wills.
It also proved that the Kiwi beach volleyball scene is full of potential and that New Zealand is capable of producing world-class athletes in the sport.
3. Sam O’Dea
Sam O’Dea is a New Zealand beach volleyball player who achieved a great success at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Along with his brother Ben O’Dea, Sam represented New Zealand in the men’s pair competition of the Games.
The brothers competed against teams from other countries and were able to secure the bronze medal. This made them the first ever men’s beach volleyball team from New Zealand to compete in the Games.
This bronze medal is a significant achievement for Sam and Ben, considering the fact that beach volleyball is a relatively new sport and is still under development in New Zealand.
This medal is also a testament to the hard work and dedication that the brothers have put into their sport.
Their success at the Commonwealth Games is likely to have a lasting impact on the beach volleyball scene in New Zealand and will inspire future generations of players to perform at a high level.
4. Ben O’Dea
Ben O’Dea is a New Zealand beach volleyball player who achieved great success at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Together with his brother Sam O’Dea, they represented New Zealand in the men’s pair competition and became the nation’s first men’s beach volleyball team to ever compete at the Commonwealth Games.
Their hard work and dedication paid off and the brothers won the bronze medal, making history as the first New Zealand men’s beach volleyball team to win a medal at the Commonwealth Games.
This was a great accomplishment for both the O’Dea brothers and for New Zealand beach volleyball. The brothers have set a high standard and inspired more athletes to take part in beach volleyball at a high level.
5. Kelsie Thwaites
Kelsie Thwaites is an impressive athlete from New Zealand who has made a name for herself in both rugby union and beach volleyball. Thwaites is a strong and talented rugby union player who has represented New Zealand on the international stage.
Prior to her success in rugby, Thwaites was an accomplished beach volleyball player, representing New Zealand in the sport. In fact, Thwaites was so successful that she decided to make the switch to rugby and has found great success in the sport.
Her passion and dedication have allowed her to become one of the top rugby union players in the world. Thwaites is an inspiration to aspiring athletes who dream of one day competing at an elite level in their chosen sport.
6. Anna Harrison
Anna Maree Harrison MNZM is an extremely accomplished athlete. She is a professional player of both netball and beach volleyball and stands at a towering height of 1.87 m.
Her impressive height gives her an advantage in both sports, especially netball, as she is able to reach the ball easier than other players.
In netball, she is a very versatile player and is capable of playing in a variety of defensive positions, including goal-keep, goal-defence, and wing defence. Her ability to play multiple positions has been extremely valuable for the teams she has played for.
Anna Maree Harrison MNZM is an amazing athlete and has achieved a great deal of success in both netball and beach volleyball. She is an asset to any team she is a part of and her skill and height give her a unique advantage.
Her ability to play multiple positions in netball is especially noteworthy, as it demonstrates her versatility and commitment to the sport.
Conclusion
New Zealand has a long and proud tradition of producing some of the world’s best volleyball players.
From legendary names like Tania Nolan and Roberta Howie to current stars like Sophie Burgess and Hope Ralph, the country has produced many gifted athletes who have made a significant contribution to the sport of volleyball.
While there will always be debate over who is the greatest volleyball player from New Zealand, there is no doubt that the country has produced some of the world’s finest players.
